Review for Miss Jones and Son: The Complete Series 2

The ultra-lovely Paula Wilcox (Man About the House) stars in this second season of a comedy series about a young woman bringing up her baby (ready for it?) as a single mother! (Insert collective gasp here).




It speaks volumes about how much attitudes have changed since this series aired in 1978. Though written by Richard Waring (And Mother Makes Three) the fact that the series was produced and directed by Peter Frazer-Jones (Man About the House, Robin's Nest), is patently clear. Apart from wide-eyed and toothy Paula Wilcox's presence, the general format is very like 'Man About the House'. Lots of misunderstandings and high farce mixed with occasional moments of fleeting pathos and humanity. Well, you know the sort of thing!


Before I get into the specifics of series 2, let's back-track to the premise. After a four-year relationship her man has left her, without realizing that she was pregnant. She decides to bring up the child herself whilst keeping the wolf from the door by creating cartoon illustrations for magazines.


Her frightfully middle-class parents are completely flummoxed by her decision though they take reassurance in the blossoming relationship between her and neighbour Geoffrey. However, Series 2 sees Elizabeth and Geoffrey part their ways (Geoffrey has found a wife) with a new tenant (and potential suitor) David Laurence taking on the empty flat. And what a coincidence - it transpires that David is an author of Children's books in need of an illustrator, and is also a father of one.


Despite an age gap (played superbly for laughs when her mother visits and mistakes the ancient landlord as this 'older chap' that her daughter has fallen for), love blossoms, bringing the romance missing from series one kicking and screaming into series two.

Image quality is very good (this was a video-based studio recording in the main, with occasional 16mm exterior inserts) .


For those who liked 'Man About the House' and 'The Lovers', you'll know what to expect from Paula Wilcox who neither disappoints or surprises. This is good old fashioned cosy situation comedy where the farcical jokes can be seen a mile off, though are no less enjoyable for that. The series was popular enough at the time to warrant a US re-make in 1979 - "Miss Winslow and Son".


Here's what you get.

Series 2 (1978)

1. More Fish In The Sea
First Broadcast: Mon 9th January 1978
Elizabeth is still on her own and her neighbour, Geoffrey, who has announced that he has 'found a wife' Geoffrey, persuades her to come to a lonely hearts club. My favourite moment is when he says goodbye and decides to give her one of his favourite albums. 'Not the Sex Pistols?' she rebukes. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief though. It was 'The Carpenters' after all. Ahhhh.

2. A Theme In Two Flats
First Broadcast: Mon 16th January 1978
Geoffrey has gone and his flat is empty. Elizabeth takes a fancy to one of the prospective new tenants, a widower in his late thirties with an 11 year old daughter, so she sets about putting all prospects off - including the man's mother!

3. Will You Be My Wife
First Broadcast: Mon 23rd January 1978
Elizabeth's new neighbour, Sam, has asked her to accompany him to a social occasion because he has fallen out with his wife. It's an important 'do' and may lead to promotion. Things soon become farcical when they return 'home' with the boss - and sheer farce ensues.

4. Jobs For The Girls
First Broadcast: Mon 30th January 1978
In order to make ends meet, Elizabeth joins forces with her friend Rose to attempt some money-making schemes. House-to-house portrait painting results in disaster as an attempt to paint a naughty lad results in Elizabeth crowning him with the frame (acceptable then, litigious now…). A baby-minding service also back-fires when they realise that they can't cope and that the social services are not happy about the scheme either. Oh - and neither is the dishy new neighbour as he tries to complete his new book.

5. Just Good Friends
First Broadcast: Mon 6th February 1978
After being asked to illustrate the cover of his new book, Elizabeth accepts David's invite to dinner. Of course he's an older man and she prepares to ward of his amorous advances but, when they are not forthcoming, she starts to worry. Before long she is making her own advances, which involve spilling her drink all over him. And that's just for starters!

6. Four Part Harmony
First Broadcast: Mon 13th February 1978
David proposes a weekend at his brother's country cottage for Elizabeth and their two children. What starts off as a romantic prospect soon descends to high farce and David reveals an ugly, controlling side (too easily dismissed in my view). Though all ends well - even if he is a psycho bastard. A very odd ending to the series indeed!